LIVERPOOL’S European hopes hang by a thread after another frustrating night of Anfield failure.

The Reds conceded a last-gasp goal that leaves them facing a fraught final Group A match in Udinese where they must now win to ensure progress.

It left boss Brendan Rodgers angry and bemused as his side had seemed to be strolling towards qualification for the knockout stage after a surprise resurgence from Joe Cole looked to have sealed an important win.

Cole looked more like his old self against a hesitant Swiss side.

The England midfielder produced a vibrant display and provided a fine goal for Jonjo Shelvey in the first half before netting himself after Berne had dragged themselves back into the contest.

But then, with just two minutes left on the clock, Luis Suarez gave the ball away and Elsad Zverotic was given space to batter a shot straight through the arms of an embarrassed Pepe Reina. It was a frustrating end to a match Liverpool looked to have in the bag.

The home side took the lead in 33 minutes when Cole showed an impressive fluidity to exchange inventive passes with Suso before breaking clear and crossing to allow Shelvey the simplest of finishes from close range.

It was a fine goal that illustrated all the good things about Rodgers’ system. The interchanges and position and passes bamboozled a seasick Swiss defence that is clearly woozy at the best of times.

Suso had two chances to double the lead before the interval while Cole saw a shot bounce off Martin Skrtel only to be cleared off the line by Raphael Nuzzolo.

And the Reds paid for their poor finishing when a long ball found Raul Bobadilla in the box in 52 minutes and the Argentine expertly smashed an unstoppable left-foot drive past Reina.

But Liverpool forced their way back in front in 72 minutes when Cole turned superbly before firing low past Marco Wolfli. His heroics were not enough, though, with Zverotic given too much time and space to blast in his late leveller.